re:Automated "Manual CNC"

Brian wrote:

>What I am envisioning is a system consisting of linear scales for
>feedback and what amounts to power feed motors <snip>Is there
>software that can calculate the required XYZ coordinates and output
>them to a text file?

Brian,
Not sure what you're hoping to gain here. You'll go 90percent of the
way to cnc, but without getting the benefits?!

Any cad package will give you a file with the coords. HPGL or DXF.

BUT,ALL the freeware, shareware cnc control programs can put out the
steps to move the motors. No control boards necessary. Drives are
CHEAP nowadays.

If you've got scales, you've got to write(or find) a program to read
them. You could use Steve lindsays DRO program as a start and modify
it to work with your "cad to .001" converter. Or use Camtronics
encoder boards and write/ modify that program.

As I mentioned above, the program needed would be 90% to a "real" cnc
controller. You could start with stepster(BASIC) or EMC(C++) source
code to get where you want to go, but why?

I believe you'll spend a lot of time and money and end up with less,
for more cost, than just using your knowledge and experience to retro-
fit towards a real cnc.

It would appear the motivation is to avoid retrofit of screws and
motors. Screws you don't hafta change(just be willing to accept their
limitations, which you've already done with your proposal), motors
are easy and cheap.

Have I convinced you yet? :-)

Ballendo

P.S. If I've missed something, please let me know. I'm not trying to
put out your fire, just keep you from a path I and I'm sure others on
the list have tread. Of course, only you know if you'd rather invent
machines or make chips with machines. It's just not that hard or
expensive anymore to do CNC.